Reading Education

MA ED in Reading Education

Director: Dr. Heather Kimberly Sellers

Prospective students should email the Graduate Office at grad@uncp.edu or visit the website at HERE.

The Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) in Reading Education is designed for classroom and reading teachers to prepare them as leaders in the field of literacy instruction and as reading specialists. Since the program builds on the knowledge base and experience of the practitioner, teachers who enter the M.A.Ed. must have professional teacher licensure. Graduate study in reading education will enable teachers to develop expertise in the teaching of reading, the diagnosis and remediation of problems, and the development of successful reading programs. Teachers will also have opportunities to develop leadership competence in the design, delivery, and assessment of reading and services. The Reading Education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the NC State Board of Education. For additional information on an M.A.Ed. in Reading view our brochure.

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

One year of teaching experience

Three professional references of which one should be a current administrator/supervisor who is familiar with your teaching/career goals.

Special Program Admission Requirements

Applicants who do not have a degree in a reading-related discipline such as elementary education, special education, or English/ language arts are subject to special program admission requirement(s), based on the Program Director’s evaluation of the applicant’s transcript.

Program Goals

The revised M.A.Ed. in Reading Education is organized around four major standards established by the International Reading Association (IRA) for Master’s level literacy specialist. These standards reflect NC Department of Public Instruction 2009 guidelines for reading teachers and expectations set forth by NCATE. All Reading courses will reflect the four program standards in content, learning opportunities, and requirements.

A program checklist detailing all required courses for each strand may be viewed here.

In addition to offering courses on our main campus, we are now recruiting for a Spring 2015 Sandhills Community College cohort targeting Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph and Scotland Counties. To learn more about opportunities at this location see our Sandhills Flyer.

There is Funding for a Master’s of Arts in Reading Education through the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant (View Website) and other grants through completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (View Form)